Is this destiny?

Monday, June 8

4:28 PM

Sarah and Aiden are on the highway, driving through the France's countryside.

Sarah does not know where they are going (it's a secret), but she knows that Aiden has something planned and they will be back on 11th. Considering that on June 10th is her 21st birthday, Sarah knows that next three days will be filled with activities related to her birthday.

Sunday and Monday morning they spent in meetings with the Sigma army, discussing various topics related to coding patterns, hacking techniques and hardware improvements, but most of the time their focus was on the Ceresc Solutions.

Mishi, Emir, Petar and Lucija already confirmed that they are in. Emir asked to be the director of advertising (with focus on models), and Sarah and Aiden told him that anything is possible.

"Think about it, and we will discuss further when we are back.", Sarah told Emir. "But I hope that you understand how advertising is much more than just models and taking photos."

Sarah and Aiden also told them that each of them should consider hiring a personal assistant who will help them with scheduling and some menial tasks once they officially start working as employees of Ceresc Solutions.

Tereza said that she is intrigued, but she still wants to think about it.

Marija was not so excited, and Sarah didn't want to bother with her at this time. On Sunday, Sarah told Marija everything she had to say, and since then Sarah feels relieved.

Back to present…

Sarah opened the window and stuck her hand out, enjoying the warm wind which caressed her fingers as the car moved.

The two lane highway is unusually narrow (comparing to the major highways in the United States), and also there is an unusual small amount of traffic. It reflects how transportation in Europe is much less dependent on cars because people use well developed network of trains and busses to move around. It's cost effective and convenient.

Aiden glanced at Sarah from time to time and he is happy to see that Sarah is smiling. It seems that the heaviness due to the whole Oni-Jesse situation is easing up.

Sarah told Aiden about her talk with Marija, and Aiden suggested that they tell Marija to leave the group, but Sarah was reluctant to do so.

"Marija will not change because of your talk...", Aiden told Sarah. "She will not change even if everyone talks to her. Depending on her personality, Marija might agree with your conditions to behave, but she will still do it behind your back..." Aiden believes that unless Marija finds someone dear to her, she will continue with her current behavior.

Even though Sarah does not approve of Marija's lifestyle, they are together for about six years, and that is something Sarah can't easily neglect.

Back to present...

Sarah's phone rang, and her eyes lit up.

"It's Oni!", Sarah exclaimed and raised the window to lower the outside noise (from the wind) before answering. She was worried sick about Oni but didn't want to call in case they are on the field. Also, she knew that Oni will call her if anything comes up. And she is calling so something came up.

Sarah was nervous when she picked up the call: "Hey…"

"Can we talk for a minute?", Oni asked in a low voice.

"Sure, I am in the car, Aiden is driving… I have plenty of time. Tell me."

Oni hesitated. "Uhm… can he hear us?"

Sarah glanced at Aiden. "I don't think so."

Sarah understood that this must be related to Jesse, and that Oni wants to make sure no one can hear them, and offered: "Do you want us to talk in private?"

"Yeah.", Oni confirmed. It's not that she has secrets from Aiden, but this is a girl-talk and she is embarrassed for Aiden to hear it.

"Just a sec.", Sarah told Oni and then turned to Aiden. "Can you stop the car?"

Aiden gave Sarah a side-glance before pulling the car on the side of the road.

Sarah stepped out of the car and observed her surroundings. On the left is a highway, two lanes each way, and even though there are not many cars, the ones which are passing by are noisy, and will disturb her call (which is obviously important). On Sarah's right are lush bushes and trees which are increasing in density further away. This stretch of the highway is snaking through the forest.

Sarah turned to Aiden and gestured toward the bushes, indicating that she is going there to talk in private.

Aiden nodded in understanding and got his phone to keep busy with while watching Sarah disappear within the bushes.

"OK. Tell me…", Sarah told Oni when she walked far enough so that the road noise is lessened.

Oni sighed. "I don't know where to start."

"How about… from the beginning?"

Oni hesitated. How can she say this properly? She told herself that this is Sarah and she called her for an advice, and she can't get an advice if she does not say everything, so here it goes…"Last night I went on a date."

Sarah waited for Oni to continue, but there was nothing. Eventually, Sarah asked: "With Jesse?"

"No. With Robert.", Oni responded.

Sarah paused. Who the heck is Robert? "Do I need to ask who Robert is?"

"No. He is a guy I met at the café. Robert is a nice guy, but not important."

Sarah wanted to ask Oni, why did she go on a date with a non-important guy she met at a café? Didn't she leave the Chateau yesterday in distress because of Jesse? What is going on there? How much can happen in a little over twenty four hours? But Sarah swallowed those questions and asked calmly: "And…?"

"It was fun… kind of… we ate, talked and I returned to my room." Oni paused and continued talking quickly: "That is when the confusing things started. Michael stormed into my room. He was supposed to be on a mission, but somehow ended up in my room and didn't want to leave and he wanted to hold my foot, and I fell, and he ended up holding me…"

"Wait, wait!", Sarah interrupted Oni. "Who is Michael?"

"Uhm… isn't that Jesse's name?", Oni asked reluctantly.

Sarah perked up. "He told you his name?"

"Yes. Uhm… That was later…", Oni quickly explained how that morning Jesse told her that 'Jesse' is only his alias and that his real name is Michael.

Sarah smiled. Jesse said that he wants to use that alias as a reminder of his former lover and his revenge, and if he told Oni his real name, and she is calling him by it… that is a progress. "OK. Let's go back to the beginning. Last night, you returned from your date and Michael came to your room, and then what?"

Oni told Sarah how Jesse stayed by her side and didn't go on a mission but took care of her and how he said that he will not be with other women and he got her a breakfast in bed, and then he helped her to the restroom and when she wanted to shower he found plastic bags and secured them with elastic bands around her ankles to prevent her feet from getting wet, and how he changed her bandages, and how he is very caring bringing her food, drinks and everything she needs so that she recuperates and… Oni is confused.

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